34. In the consecrated life, particular
importance attaches to the spousal meaning, which recalls the Church's duty to
be completely and exclusively devoted to her Spouse, from whom she receives
every good thing. This spousal dimension, which is part of all consecrated
life, has a particular meaning for women, who find therein their feminine
identity and as it were discover the special genius of their relationship with
the Lord.

A moving sign of this is seen in the New
Testament passage which portrays Mary with the Apostles in the Upper Room, in
prayerful expectation of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:13-14). We can see
here a vivid image of the Church as Bride, fully attentive to her Bridegroom
and ready to accept his gift. In Peter and the other Apostles there emerges
above all the aspect of fruitfulness, as it is expressed in ecclesial ministry,
which becomes an instrument of the Spirit for bringing new sons and daughters
to birth through the preaching of the word, the celebration of the Sacraments
and the giving of pastoral care. In Mary the aspect of spousal receptivity is
particularly clear; it is under this aspect that the Church, through her
perfect virginal life, brings divine life to fruition within herself.The
consecrated life has always been seen primarily in terms of Mary — Virgin and
Bride. This virginal love is the source of a particular fruitfulness which
fosters the birth and growth of divine life in people's hearts.Following in the
footsteps of Mary, the New Eve, consecrated persons express their spiritual
fruitfulness by becoming receptive to the Word, in order to contribute to the
growth of a new humanity by their unconditional dedication and their living
witness. Thus the Church fully reveals her motherhood both in the communication
of divine grace entrusted to Peter and in the responsible acceptance of God's
gift, exemplified by Mary.God's people, for their part, find in the ordained
ministry the means of salvation, and in the consecrated life the incentive to
make a full and loving response through all the different forms of Christian
service.